Asheville Irish Dance

For Beginners to Advanced Dancers

The Asheville Performing Arts Academy partners with the Carpenter Academy of Irish Dance. Classes range from beginners to competition dancers.

We have a few important changes to our schedule for the 25-26 Season. Please note that your dancer's class section must be approved by Ms. Heather. In order to keep class sizes small, we are dividing up classes by the following levels:

Fall 2025 Schedule:
  • Classes Resume - week of August 25th
  • Labor Day (NO CLASSES) - September 1st
  • Asheville Workshop #1 - September 6th& 7th 
    • Workshop with Ms. Amanda & Mr. Peter - required for all dancers competing in September/October
  • Asheville Workshop #2 - October 4th & 5th 
    • Feis prep workshop - registration required for ALL dancers competing in October/November
  • Halloween Parties 
    • Intermediate through Champ Halloween Party - October 29th (6:00-8:00pm)
    • Beginner Halloween Party - October 27th (4:15-5:00pm)
    • Advanced Beginner Halloween Party - October 29th (5:00-6:00pm)
  • Asheville Workshop #3 - Sunday November 2nd
    • Oireachtas dancers only (dress rehearsal)
  • Thanksgiving (NO CLASSES) - November 26th
  • NO CLASSES - December 8th, 10th 
  • Winter break - Dec 22nd through Jan 4th
 

Register for 25-26 Classes Now!

BEGINNERS
  • Mondays 4:15-5pm
Beginner II & Advanced Beginner Soft Shoe
  • Mondays 5-6pm
Advanced Beginner Hard Shoe
  • Wednesday 5-6pm
Intermediate/Advanced Class
  • Mondays and Wednesdays 6-7:30pm

 

NEW AND DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START?
  • We offer a free trial class for new dancers interested in our beginner class. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

 

 

 

heatherHEATHER GALLAGHER

Asheville Director

A lover of musical theatre and Irish dance, Heather Gallagher brings her unique theatrical creativity to the Carpenter Academy. Her experience in the theatre helps students express themselves through dance in unique ways while also staying true to traditional Irish Dance.

Heather is from Cleveland, OH. She moved to Asheville to attend UNCA where she played soccer (Go Bulldogs!) and graduated with honors with a BA in Psychology. Heather has also been Irish Dancing since the age of 4.

Classes

All dancers are evaluated by our certified staff to determine which class would best suit their needs. Be aware that competition level does not determine class placement.

Beginner Class

Monday 4:15-5:00pm

The Beginner Class is designed to introduce new students to the unique style of Irish Dace. Students will learn basic soft shoe skills and step work.

Beginner II & Advanced Beginner Soft Shoe

Mondays 5-6pm

This class is suited for dancers with previous Irish Dance experience. These dancers will continue to build on their soft shoe and hard shoe skills as they learn the new timing of the Intermediate/Advance level skills.

Intermediate/Advanced Class

Mondays and Wednesdays 6-7:30pm

These classes are for full Novice and Prizewinner Level dancers that have already learned the Advanced Beginner level skills and can dance full rounds. This class focuses on helping dancers achieve their competitive goals through an emphasis on technique, style and fitness.
*Oireachtas dancers will be asked to stay late some class periods for extra time on their dances

Visit the Carpenter Academy of Irish Dance Website

PAYMENT STRUCTURE

Tuition is billed as the entire year’s tuition and you have the option to pay in full or monthly. Monthly payments will occur August through May. The tuition payments include the mandatory workshops hosted by Ms. Heather and Ms. Amanda.

All students registered through CAID Asheville must first register with the Carpenter Academy of Irish Dance and pay a $60 registration fee here.

CLASSES
  • Beginner Soft Shoe Class: $750/year
  • Advanced Beginner Soft & Hard Shoe: $1,200/year
  • 1 Intermediate/Advance class/week: $1,470/year
  • 2 Intermediate/Advance class/week: $1,920/year
  • Workshops Only: $175/year
 

PAYMENT TERMS

  •  All students must pay a $60 registration form to CAID in addition to their CAID Asheville tuition.
  • We accept credit card and automatic payments. Families will pay for their tuition through the CAID Asheville registration form. You have the option of paying in full or in monthly installments from August-May.
  • Students commit to one term at a time. No refunds will be given during a term. To unenroll, students must complete this unenrollment form through the CAID website.
  • Please note - students receive a 10% discount for siblings. If your dancer has a sibling interested in lessons this term, please let Heather know.